Energy Medicine & Psychology

What is Energy Medicine?

Energy in and around the human body are referred to as a biofields. The more common biofields described in other cultures are meridians, chakras, and auras. The meridians can be likened to the body's circulatory system, in which they carry electrical energy. In the same way as an artery can become clogged, the energy pathways can become congested and stagnant, causing discomfort, and eventually, if left untended, illness.

The vital life forces inside of a biofield are known by various names in different cultures, such as qi in traditional Chinese medicine, ki in the Japanese Kampo system, and doshas in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force is believed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. Illness can result when there is a disruption in the flow of qi and the imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. In order to correct the imbalances, a number of therapies have been developed which are commonly referred to as “Energy Medicine”.

“Energy Medicine” has two definitions where the first definition is a generic term used by National Institute of Health’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine Division, referring to all therapies that correct energy imbalances. The second definition of “Energy Medicine” is a specific kind of treatment that was developed by Donna Eden and David Feinstein, Ph.D. at www.Innersource.net.

To overcome disturbances and maintain good health, Energy Medicine adheres to the following assumptions: 1) Energies move in specific patterns that generally are in harmony with the physical structures and functions; 2) Energies need to have space to continue to move or they may become blocked; 3) Each biofield’s energy needs to maintain a balance with other energies because the energies may lose their natural balance; 4) Flow, balance, and harmony can be restored and maintained within an energy system by using specific healing energies techniques.

As a first step to keep the body’s energy moving and balanced, Donna Eden developed the “Daily Energy Routine (DER)”. The objective of the original 7 exercises was to make a very practical, brief set of procedures that would help establish and maintain positive energy patterns in most people by removing stagnation and blockages, to increase the immune system functioning, and increase the health, vitality and clarity of mind and body. The original seven DER are: 1) Three Thumps, 2) Cross Crawl, 3) Wayne Cook Posture, 4) Crown Pull, 5) Neurolymphatic Massage, 6) Zip Up and 7) Pull up. The original DER takes approximately 7-10 minutes to complete.

Although Energy Medicine proposes that the 7 Daily Energy Routine exercises are essential for most people, it does recommend that additional exercises may need to be added to improve health depending upon the initial state of wellness or the presence of specific illnesses. Three additional exercises were added to complement the original 7 exercises to address the specific needs of an aging population: (a) Triple Warmer Sedation was added to reduce stress, (b) The Spleen Flush was added to improve both the immune and digestive efficiency, and (c) Connecting Heaven and Earth was added to increase mental functioning by increasing happiness and joy by improving the Radiant Circuits. The collection of these ten exercises is called the “Daily Energy Routine Expanded” (DERE), so as not to confuse it with the original 7 exercises called the “Daily Energy Routine” (DER). A DVD on the DERE is a available. Upon completing the DERE, most individuals report that they feel better and have more energy than when they started, and have reduced symptoms. Additional exercises are then added to individualize treatment after using the DER or DERE for a period of time.

Although psychological functioning involves thought, emotions, chemistry, neurology, and genetics, at an essential level, bioenergy is always involved. Just as a computer’s hard drive contains information stored in electromagnetic fields, similarly our brain and body operate electromagnetically. These systems include electrical activity of the nervous system and heart, meridians, and other biofields. Energy Psychology addresses the total relationship of energy systems to emotion, cognition, behavior, and health. In addition to standard therapeutic elements of rapport, listening, and discussion, Energy Psychology involves procedures to specifically address underlying energetic aspects of the problem through attunement, manual muscle testing, and techniques that stimulate the body by holding or tapping, body postures and movements, visualization, use of affirmations, and expressed intentions and assertions. This therapy often achieve observable and measurable results rapidly, usually without causing undue emotional distress or abreaction, and is compatible with most other psychotherapies. Energy Psychology is applicable to a wide range of areas including psychotherapy, counseling, education, physical health, pain management, and sports and peak performance.

A few of the most widely known energy psychotherapies including Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Negative Affect Erasing Method (NAEM), and Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT). More information can be found on the web site of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology.